Thursday, June 23, 2011

II Chronicles 24 - Joash Repairs the Temple (NIV)

Summary:

Joash Repairs the Temple
Verses 1-16

Joash was 7 years old when he became king.  He reigned in Jerusalem for 40 years.  His mother was Zibiah, from Beersheba.  He did right in God's eyes, as long as Jehoiada was the chief priest.  Jehoiada chose 2 wives for Joash and he had sons and daughters.

Later on, Joash decided to restore the Lord's temple.  He summoned the priests and Levites, telling them to go to the towns of Judah and collect the annual tax to repair the temple.  The Levites did not act.  Joash, then, summoned Jehoiada, asking him why he hadn't required the Levites to impose Moses' tax on Judah and Jerusalem for the Tent of the Testimony.

The sons of the wicked woman, Athaliah, had broken into the temple and used the sacred objects for the Baals.  The king commanded a chest to be built and placed at the gate of the temple.  A proclamation was issued for the people to bring in the tax of Moses.  All the officials and people brought their portions gladly.  The Levites took it to the king's officials, periodically emptying it out.  They ended up collecting a lot of money.

Joash and Jehoiada gave the money to the masons, carpenters, workers in iron and bronze to repair the Lord's temple.  The workers were diligent and rebuilt the temple back to its original design and reinforced it.  The leftover money was brought to the king and chief priest.  They used it to make the articles for service, burnt offerings, dishes, and other objects of gold and silver.  As long as Jehoiada lived, the burnt offerings were presented continually in the temple.

Jehoiada was old and full of years.  He died at 130 years old.  He was buried with the kings in the City of David, because of the good he'd done in Israel for God and His temple.

The Wickedness of Joash
Verses 17-27

After Jehoiada's death, Judah's officials paid homage to the king and he listened to them.  They abandoned the temple and God.  They worshiped the Asherah poles and idols.  Because of their guilt, God's anger came upon Judah and Jerusalem.  God sent prophets to turn the people back, but they didn't listen.

The Spirit of God came upon Zechariah, the son of Jehoiada.  He told them God's message: Why had they disobeyed God's commands?  They would not prosper.  Because they'd forsaken God, He'd forsaken them.

The people plotted against Zechariah.  By the king's order, they stoned him to death in the courtyard of the Lord's temple.  King Joash forgot Jehoiada's kindness and killed his son.  As Zechariah died, he asked God to see this act and call Joash into account.

At the turn of the year (probably spring), the Aramean army marched against Joash.  They invaded Judah and Jerusalem, killing all their leaders.  They sent the plunder to their king in Damascus.  The Aramean army was small, but God delivered Judah's larger army to them.  Because they'd forsaken God, judgment was executed on Joash.  The Arameans withdrew and Joash was severely wounded.  His officials conspired and killed him in his bed for murdering Jehoiada's son.  He was buried in the City of David, but not in the tombs of the kings.

The conspirators were Zabad son of Shimeath, an Ammonite woman, and Jehozabad son of Shimrith, a Moabite woman.

The account of his sons, the prophecies about him, and the record of the temple's restoration are in the annotations on the book of kings.  His son, Amaziah, became king.

Lori's Thoughts:

Joash's faith was conditional upon another human.  He was not connected to God.  Once Jehoiada was no longer with him, Joash was easily swayed by wicked men.

Our faith must be established on solid rock.  Do not depend on your parents, your spouse, or your pastor to dictate your works for the Lord.  Be directly connected to the Source.

Although the temple was restored to its former glory, the service to God was attributable to Jehoiada.  It was as if Jehoiada was the real King of Judah, at that time.  He was the one to receive a kingly burial.

Joash was set aside for service to the Lord, at a young age.  However, he behaved as wickedly as his uncles, who desecrated the items of the temple, after Jehoiada's death.  It sounds as if Joash and Jehoiada worked together for a long time.  But, Joash clearly forgot how they'd thrived together.  He forsook God, worshiped idols, and had others kill Zechariah, the man of God.

We must all give account for our words and actions on this earth.  Because of Joash's sin, Judah fell.  Joash's officials sought vengeance for Jehoiada's son's death.  Joash paid the price for his sin - death.

I pray that if you fall away from God, that you will respond to the call of the Holy Spirit.  God sent several messengers, giving Joash several opportunities to repent, before He punished him.  God is merciful and just.  Come back to Him.  Rededicate yourself to Him.  Remember how you prospered with Him before.  Or, find out how you will prosper with Him, if you haven't already.

"Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him."  (Psalm 34:8)

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